Muhlenberg’s 7-0 start is far from perfect, says coach
Most baseball coaches would be thrilled with a 7-0 start.
Muhlenberg’s Brian Kopetsky? He says his team can do better.
“We have not played our best baseball at a consistent level yet,” said Kopetsky, who, like his players, came into this season with high expectations and lofty goals.
The Muhls returned seven starters from a team that reached the District 3 Class 5A semifinals and the PIAA Tournament a year ago. They knew big things could be in store and worked hard in the offseason to make sure they were ready.
The fast start — imperfect as it may seem to the coach — is no surprise.
The Muhls have been tearing it up at the plate. They’re batting .361 as a team, slugging .502 and reaching base at a .481 clip. Five players who have played in every game are batting over .300 — impressive, considering the harsh spring weather and inconsistent schedule.
The Muhls have scored six or more runs six times; the only pitcher to slow them was Twin Valley’s Kannon Zdimal, who gave up a couple of early runs in a 2-1 loss at Gochnauer Field last week.
The pitching hasn’t been as good as the hitting; still, Muhls pitchers have 77 strikeouts over 49 innings and a 2.71 staff ERA.
The Muhls are one of just three remaining unbeaten teams in District 3; Gov. Mifflin (10-0) in Class 6A and High Point (4-0) in Class 1A are the others, according to unofficial power ratings posted on the District 3 website. The Muhls are the top-ranked team in Class 5A.
Their record has been perfect but their play hasn’t been, said Kopetsky, pointing to 16 errors that have led to eight unearned runs.
“If you look at the seven games, (we’ve had) defensive mishaps,” Kopetsky said Tuesday afternoon, before Muhlenberg’s Berks II game at Fleetwood was postponed. “(We’ve had) too many innings where we can put a team away (with a key hit) and we pop out, fly out, strike out — we’ve left a lot of guys in scoring position.”
Staff ace Brad Coley has been overpowering, with 34 strikeouts and just four hits allowed over 18 innings. He also has walked 15; he can do better, his coach says.
“It might sound like we’re being hyper-critical, but we know to attain goals down the road we need to be able to play on a higher level,” Kopetsky said, “and we know we can. We’re doing alright, but we definitely have room to improve in several areas.”
As expected, senior center field Luis Beato, an all-division pick last season, has led the offense. He is batting .565 with seven RBIs, eight runs scored, five extra-base hits and a 1.643 OPS.
Senior first baseman Sam Martinez is batting .450 with seven RBIs, four doubles, a .593 on-base percentage and a 1.243 OPS.
Third baseman Cam Burr leads the team with nine runs scored and six steals. Shane Rosenberry and Julian Hatt, who are sharing catching duties, have combined to bat .428 with six RBIs.
Muhlenberg is just entering the teeth of its schedule. It plays Wilson Saturday night in the marquee game of the Berks County High School Showcase at Owls Field, then comes back Monday against Berks I leader Gov. Mifflin. It also has games next week against Berks II contender Fleetwood, Berks I contender Exeter and perennial PAC-10 power Boyertown.
Kopetsky is anxious for the weather to turn and to get into four-game weeks, which he was hoping to see this week, and hopes to have next week. Coley and Drew Fidler has done the majority of the pitching but the staff is deep and Kopetsky wants to see other guys throw, as well.
If the weather loosens its harsh grip later this week, as forecast, he’ll get that chance. Muhlenberg is scheduled to play seven games in 10 days, starting with Reading High on Thursday.
“Yes, you’re very pleased (with the start),” Kopetsky said, “but in the grand scheme you could lose the next seven. We have work to do yet. We’re not close to being satisfied.
“These kids are driven; they’re on a mission. They eat (and) sleep the game. That’s all they’re focused on. They have the big goals.”
